Goshin III Replanting
62nd Annual California Bonsai Society Bonsai Exhibition
March 23-24, 2019 10:00-5:00pm
The Replanting of Goshin III
Will take place on
March 23, 2019 1:00-4:00pm
Brody Botanical Center at The Huntington
The Golden State Bonsai Federation and
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and
Botanical Gardens will be regaining an important bonsai masterpiece on Saturday,
March 23, 2019, as the California Bonsai Society and GSBF host Jack Sustic, former
curator of the North American Bonsai Collection at the US National Arboretum in
Washington, DC, to lead the replanting of “Goshin III” during the 62nd annual CBS
Bonsai Exhibition. The public demonstration will take place from 1 - 4 pm in the Botanical Auditorium on the lower level of the Brody Botanical Center (near the elevator) at The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 91108.
The original “Goshin,” or Guardian of the Spirit, is a forest-style bonsai created by John
Naka, and is far and away the most famous American bonsai. The planting features 11
foemina junipers (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’), with training of the oldest starting in
1948. As arranged, the trees represent John’s children and grandchildren.
John donated the tree to the National Bonsai Foundation in 1984, and it moved to the
US National Arboretum where it remains to this day. However the California bonsai
community felt the loss of such an important masterpiece and requested John to re-
create it. So, at two different convention events in the 1990’s, John and a team created
replicas. Known as “Goshin II” and “Goshin III,” the plantings were subsequently given
to each of the GSBF Collection sites, the GSBF Bonsai Museum at Lake Merritt in
Oakland, CA, and the GSBF Collection at The Huntington, respectively. “Goshin III”
arrived at The Huntington in February, 2001.
Due to various circumstances, including some of the aggressive work during the initial
planting and using trees that had less developed root systems, “Goshin III” suffered. A
couple trees died; others were weakened by degraded soil. In April, 2015, the forest
was dis-assembled and the individual trees were planted in separate pots with good
bonsai soil. Over the past few years, they were brought back to health and groomed to
build more complete, refined foliage pads. In addition, additional trees have been
developed as replacements, so the replanted piece will look mature when completed.
Jack Sustic will lead the replanting team. While serving as curator of the US National
Bonsai Collection, Jack was responsible for the maintenance and care of the original
“Goshin” for many years. However, as a friend and devotee of John’s, Jack also
participated in the creation of both “Goshin II” and “Goshin III.” With the other original
team members passed on, Jack is the most qualified of any to ensure a faithful
reproduction of the original.
Started by John Naka in 1950’s, the California Bonsai Society is a club with members
predominantly at the advanced level of the art. The 62nd annual exhibit will feature
masterpiece quality bonsai, with a focus on trees that have been in training over a long
time--often decades--so they no longer show evidence of training. In addition, the
exhibition often has a mix of fine viewing stones. The exhibit runs from 10 am - 5 pm
both Saturday and Sunday in the Ahmanson Classroom and Banta Hall.
62nd Annual California Bonsai Society Bonsai Exhibition
March 23-24, 2019 10:00-5:00pm
The Replanting of Goshin III
Will take place on
March 23, 2019 1:00-4:00pm
Brody Botanical Center at The Huntington
The Golden State Bonsai Federation and
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and
Botanical Gardens will be regaining an important bonsai masterpiece on Saturday,
March 23, 2019, as the California Bonsai Society and GSBF host Jack Sustic, former
curator of the North American Bonsai Collection at the US National Arboretum in
Washington, DC, to lead the replanting of “Goshin III” during the 62nd annual CBS
Bonsai Exhibition. The public demonstration will take place from 1 - 4 pm in the Botanical Auditorium on the lower level of the Brody Botanical Center (near the elevator) at The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, 91108.
The original “Goshin,” or Guardian of the Spirit, is a forest-style bonsai created by John
Naka, and is far and away the most famous American bonsai. The planting features 11
foemina junipers (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’), with training of the oldest starting in
1948. As arranged, the trees represent John’s children and grandchildren.
John donated the tree to the National Bonsai Foundation in 1984, and it moved to the
US National Arboretum where it remains to this day. However the California bonsai
community felt the loss of such an important masterpiece and requested John to re-
create it. So, at two different convention events in the 1990’s, John and a team created
replicas. Known as “Goshin II” and “Goshin III,” the plantings were subsequently given
to each of the GSBF Collection sites, the GSBF Bonsai Museum at Lake Merritt in
Oakland, CA, and the GSBF Collection at The Huntington, respectively. “Goshin III”
arrived at The Huntington in February, 2001.
Due to various circumstances, including some of the aggressive work during the initial
planting and using trees that had less developed root systems, “Goshin III” suffered. A
couple trees died; others were weakened by degraded soil. In April, 2015, the forest
was dis-assembled and the individual trees were planted in separate pots with good
bonsai soil. Over the past few years, they were brought back to health and groomed to
build more complete, refined foliage pads. In addition, additional trees have been
developed as replacements, so the replanted piece will look mature when completed.
Jack Sustic will lead the replanting team. While serving as curator of the US National
Bonsai Collection, Jack was responsible for the maintenance and care of the original
“Goshin” for many years. However, as a friend and devotee of John’s, Jack also
participated in the creation of both “Goshin II” and “Goshin III.” With the other original
team members passed on, Jack is the most qualified of any to ensure a faithful
reproduction of the original.
Started by John Naka in 1950’s, the California Bonsai Society is a club with members
predominantly at the advanced level of the art. The 62nd annual exhibit will feature
masterpiece quality bonsai, with a focus on trees that have been in training over a long
time--often decades--so they no longer show evidence of training. In addition, the
exhibition often has a mix of fine viewing stones. The exhibit runs from 10 am - 5 pm
both Saturday and Sunday in the Ahmanson Classroom and Banta Hall.
